Method of updating a computer system to a qualified state prior to installation of an operating system

Abstract

A method of updating a computer system to a qualified state prior to installation of an operating system (OS) is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a method of updating an information handling system to a qualified state prior to installation of an OS including performing an inventory of the information handling system for installed system components in a pre-installation environment. The method further including automatically determining a compatibility relationship between the installed system components and available drivers. The method further including recommending an alternative driver based on the compatibility relationship. The method further including updating drivers in the information handling system such that the alternative driver installs on the information handling system to bring the information handling system to a qualified state based on the acceptance of the recommendation. The method further including installing the OS on the information handling system based on the qualified state.

1 . A method of updating an information handling system to a qualified state prior to installation of an operating system (OS), comprising: 
 performing an inventory of the information handling system for installed system components in a pre-installation environment;    automatically determining a compatibility relationship between the installed system components and available drivers;    recommending an alternative driver for use with at least one of the installed system components based on the compatibility relationship between the at least one of the installed system component and the associated available driver;    based on the acceptance of the recommendation, updating drivers in the information handling system such that the alternative driver installs on the information handling system to bring the information handling system to a qualified state; and    based on the qualified state, installing the OS on the information handling system.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein installed system components comprise at least one component selected from a group of components consisting of a basic input/output system (BIOS), firmware, hardware devices and remote devices.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performing the inventory further comprises retrieving required information for each installed system component.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing a server setup process prior to installation of the OS.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the server setup process further comprises: 
 setting up a random array of inexpensive/independent disk (RAID) drive system; and    gathering system configuration information.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing an OS configuration interview to setup details regarding user configuration of the information handling system.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performing the inventory further comprises loading a utility application in the pre-installation environment.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising saving data gathered from the inventory in a log.  
   
   
       9 . An information handling system, comprising: 
 a processor coupled to a processor bus;    a memory coupled to the processor bus, the memory communicatively coupled with the processor;    the processor operable to execute instructions for updating the information handling system to a qualified state prior to installation of an operating system (OS), the instructions comprising: 
 performing an inventory of the information handling system for installed system components in a pre-installation environment;  
 determining a compatibility relationship between the installed system components and available drivers;  
 recommending an alternative driver for use with at least one of the installed system components based on the compatibility relationship between the at least one of the installed system component and the associated available driver;  
 based on the acceptance of the recommendation, updating drivers in the information handling system such that the alternative driver installs on the information handling system to bring the information handling system to a qualified state; and  
 based on the qualified state, installing the OS on the information handling system.  
   
   
   
       10 . The information handling system of  claim 9 , further comprising the installed system components including a basic input/output system (BIOS), firmware, hardware devices or remote devices.  
   
   
       11 . The information handling system of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a computer device operably coupled to the processor and memory; and    the computer device operable to retrieve data from a computer readable medium, the computer readable medium including applications for establishing the pre-installation environment.    
   
   
       12 . The information handling system of  claim 11 , wherein the computer readable medium further comprises a plurality of drivers for computer components.  
   
   
       13 . The information handling system of  claim 9 , wherein the computer readable medium further comprises a utility application operably including instructions to perform the inventory of the information handling system.  
   
   
       14 . The information handling system of  claim 13 , further comprising a log of data from the inventory.  
   
   
       15 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for a method of updating an information handling system to a qualified state prior to installation of an operating system (OS), comprising: 
 instructions for performing an inventory of the information handling system for installed system components in a pre-installation environment;    instructions for automatically determining a compatibility relationship between the installed system components and available drivers;    instructions for recommending an alternative driver for use with at least one of the installed system components based on the compatibility relationship between the at least one of the installed system component and the associated available driver;    instructions for updating drivers in the information handling system such that the alternative driver installs on the information handling system to bring the information handling system to a qualified state, wherein the updating is based on the acceptance of the recommendation; and    instructions for installing the OS on the information handling system.    
   
   
       16 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions for performing the inventory further comprises instructions for retrieving required information for each installed system.  
   
   
       17 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , further comprising instructions for performing a server setup process prior to installation of the OS.  
   
   
       18 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , further comprising instructions for performing an OS configuration interview to setup details regarding user configuration of the information handling system.  
   
   
       19 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , further comprising instructions for establishing the pre-installation environment.  
   
   
       20 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , further comprising instructions for saving data gathered from the inventory in a log.